초록
This study was performed to investigate the influence of dietary fibers on the serum lipid level and bowel function in aged rats. Fiber sources of experimental diets were made from mugwort(M), butterbur(B), apple(A), sea mustard(S) by drying and milling. Each of fiber sources was mixed into the diet at the level of 5, 15% of diet. Sprague-Dawley strain, 13 month old male rats were divided into 9 groups by randomized complete block design : C, M5, B5, A5, S5, M15, B15, A15, S15. The animals were fed ad libitum each of experimental diets for 4 weeks. Control group showed lower food intake compare to the other groups. There were no significant difference between 5% groups and 15% groups in food intake. Fecal weight, dry fecal weight and fecal water content of control group were significantly lower than those of experimental groups, and fecal water content was increased by increasing level of dietary fibber. Apple group showed the lowest values, sea mustard group showed the highest. The shorter transit time was observed in the group of higher intake of dietary fiber. At the same level of dietary fiber, transit time of sea mustard group was shorter than the other groups. With increasing age, serum triglycerides, total cholesterol were increased and HDL-cholesterol was decreased. Fiber fed groups showed lower serum TG, TC and higher HDL-c level compare to the control group. Absorption rates of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus was tend to be lower in the group fed dietary fiber sources than control group. Mucosa weight and maltase activity in the small intestine were decreased by increasing age. As intake of dietary fiber increaed, mucosa weight in the small intestine was not different but maltase activity was decreased.